Ticket issuing machine



Nov. 8, 1932. c; F. WEBB TICKET ISSUING MACHINE Filed Oct. 30, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 --rq I I -v =l I EIIEIIHEFIEV I I'll-I ll Nov. 8, 1932. l c. F; WEBB TICKET ISSUING MACHINE Filed Oct. 50. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 8 Nov. 8, 1932. v

- F. WEBB TICKET ISSUING MACHINE Filed Oct 30, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 6 Nov. 8, 1932. C. F. WEBB TICKET ISSUING MACHINE Filed :50; 1929 4 sheets-sheet 4 (411/ IIIIIIIIIII I Illlnll llll Illl ll| Patented Nov. 8, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHRISTOPHER FREDERICK WEBB, OF MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF '10 HORACE DRUMMOND BLACK, OE MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND TICKET ISSUING MACHINE Application med October 30, 1929, Serial No.

This invention relates to ticket printing and issuing machines and more particularly to ticket printing and issuing machines wherein each of a bank of selector keys is operable to ensure that one of a series of selectable impression elements carried by a. printin g cylinder prints a desired impression upon a strip of material and issues a printed ticket from the machine.

According to the present invention there is provided a ticket printing and issuing machine wherein means arranged exterior to'the machine are operable to select which key or keys of a bank of keys carried by the machine will, when actuated, ensure the operation of the machine.

Further, according to the present invention there is provided a ticket printing and issuing machine wherein means arranged exterior to the machine are operable to select which registering device or devices of a series of devices, each of which is associated with one key of a series of keys, will be operated when a key or keys, is, or are, actuated.

In order that the invention may be fully understood the same Willnow be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a part sectional front elevation of a ticket printing and issuing machine constructed according to this invention.

Figure 2 is a part sectional elevation at right angles to Figure 1, with the side plate A 'of the casing removed.

Figure 3 is a view of the upper portion of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 2 but indicating the elements thereof in a different position.

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section, drawn to a larger scale, on' line 44 of Figure 1, illustrating an electrical make and break device and the manner in which the same is actuated.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but with the key actuated mechanism illustrated in a diflerent position.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figures 4 and 5 but illustrating the electrical make and break device and key actuated mechanism shown in a different position, and

408,609, and in Great Britain March 4, 1929.

Figure 7 is an electrical diagram illustrat mg the manner in which two ticket issuing machines are arranged in circuit with a central control station in accordancewith the present invention. Referring to the drawings-1 indicates a serles of operating keys pivotally mounted upon a shaft 2 .carried in the frame of a machine. A series of spring blades 4 mounted upon a member 4 constructed of insulatin material isarranged below the keys 1. Eac key 1 is maintained in a normal position out of engagement with the corresponding spring blade 4 by means of a spring 2 Each of the blades 4 is connected electrically to one of a series of terminals 5 mounted upon an insulating panel 6 carried by the frame of the machine.

Each of the terminals 5 is arranged to be connected to a corresponding terminal at a central station hereinafter described and one return lead from the central station serves for all the outgoing leads and is connected to a terminal 7 mounted upon the panel 6 of the machine. The terminal 7 is connected electrically'to a spring blade 8 mounted upon but insulated from the frame of the machine (Figures 4, 5 and 6).

The blade 8 is provided with a contact 9 and an insulated tappet member 10 which is arranged to be actuated by a cam 11 mounted upon a spindle 12 which carries a printing cylinder (not shown) and is arranged to be rotated in a manner hereinafter described, through one complete revolution upon each operation of the machine. The contact 9 is normally maintained in contact with a second contact.13 also mounted upon but 1nsulated from the machine frame. The contact 13 is electrically connected to one terminalof'an electromagnet 14 (Figures 2 and 3) the other terminal of WhlCh is connected to the frame of the machine which in turn is in electrical connection with the keysl. An armature .15 of the electromagnet 14 is pivotally mounted at 16 upon the machine frame and is normally maintained inengagement with a stop 18 bymeans of a spring 17 In the normal pos1t1on of the armature one end 19 thereof engages with an arm which is maintained in engagement therewith by means of a spring 35. The arm 20 carries a stop 21 and is operable as hereinafter described, to release a clutch member 22 pivotally mounted upon an arm 23 keyed to the shaft 12 whereby the said shaft is clutched to a sprocket wheel 24 which is arranged to be driven by a motor 26.

The arm 20 is secured to a spindle 27 piv otally mounted in the frame of the machine and is also secured to a bar 28 which extends through an aperture 29 in a frame member 3. The spindle 27 and bar 28 are connected together by a stirrup member 37 provided with an arm 38 arranged to be moved in a manner hereinafter-described by a cam 39 mounted upon the spindle 12. The bar 28 is connected by links 29 and 30 respectively, to a universal clutch-bar 31, normally held by the spring in engagement with stops 33 secured to the machine frame, and to a lock-- ing bar 32 (Figures 4, 5 and 6).

The universal bar 31 is operatively connected to the blade 8 by a rod 8 insulated from the said blade.

Assuming that all the circuits associated with the keys 1 are unbroken at the central control station, the depression ofv a key moves the universal clutch bar 31 clear of the stops 33 and the continued movement thereof causes the same to contact with the spring blade '4 associated therewith as shown in Figure 5 and establishes a circuit through the switch mechanism 43, (Figure 7) at the central control station, through contacts 9 and 13 and through the electric magnet 14 whereby the electromagnet 14 is energized.

The armature 15 is thereby moved down- Wardly so that the end 19 thereof is disposed opposite to anotch 34 formed in the arm 20 whereupon the spring 35 moves the arm 20 into the position indicated in Figure 3. The movement of the arm 20 causes the bar 28 to' be moved together with the universal clutch bar 31 and the locking bar 32, into the position indicated in Figure 5, and the key which has been operated is maintained by the locking bar in the depressed position.

The movement of the arm 20 also causes the clutch member 22 to be moved into ongagement with the sprocket wheel 24 as above escribed and closes the circuit of the electric motor 26, for example, in the manner (lisclosed in the U. S. application of Horace Drummond Black, Serial No. 403,571, filed October 30, 1929; The shaft 12 is thus rotated in the direction of the arrows a, Figures 2, 4, 5 and 6, and the machine operates to print and issue a ticket in the manner described in aforesaid patent application.

Upon the rotation of the shaft 12, the cam 11 actuates the tappet 10 and causes the contacts 9 and 13 to be separated and thereby break the circuit which had been closed by the depression of the key 1 and thereby deenergizes the electromagnet 14. The armature 15 of the magnet 14 remains in the position indicated in Figure 3 until the latter part of the cycle of operation of the machine.

Towards the latter part of the rotation of the shaft 12, the cam 39 moves the arm 38 together with the bar 28, universal clutch bar 31 and locking bar 30 to the position indicated in Figure 6 and allows the depressed key to return to the normal position under the influence of the spring 2 arranged to move the universal clutch bar 31 clear of the keys 1 as shown and at the same time the clutch bar moves the rod 8 into a position which ensures that the contacts 9 and 13 are maintained in the open position. Upon the described movement of the bar 28 the arm 20 is moved therewith and the spring 17 restores the armature 15 to the position indicated in Figure 2.

The completion of one rotation of the shaft causes the cam 39 to release the arm 38 and the universal clutch bar resumes the position indicated in Figure 4 and permits the contacts 9 and 13 to close.

Referring now to the diagram Figure 7 two ticket issuing machines A are indicated which are shown in electrical connection with a central control station B.

In the diagram the spring blades 4 are each connected by a line 40 to one terminal of a corresponding series of electromagnetic elements or relays 41. The elements 41 of corresponding keys of the machine are arranged to operate one of a series of registering or adding devices C. The other terminal of corresponding elements 41 is connected in parallel to lines 42 which are each connected to one terminal of a corresponding series of switches 43, the other terminals of which are connected together by alead 44. The lead 44 is connected through a main switch 45 to one terminal of a source of electric current 46, the other terminal of which is connected by a line 47 to the spring blade 8 of the make and break device of each machine hereinbefore described whilst the contact 13 thereof is connected to the electromagnet 14 and thence to the keys 1 of the machine.

It will be observed that if the switches 43 and 45 are closed, a depression of a key 1 energizes the corresponding electro-magnetic element 41 and actuates the electro-magnetic release 14 of the machine which thereupon operates to print and issue a ticket bearing an impression, andregistering device C corresponding to the impression is simultaneously operated.

Further if one of the switches 43 is opened, the same breaks the electrical circuit of the corresponding key and thereby ensures that the machine cannot be operated by the actuation of that key and further if the switch 45 The cam 39 is is opened the same renders all the machines inoperable. Y

If more than one energization of the elec tro-magnetic elements 41 of the registering devices 0 is required for one depression of a key, the cam 11 is constructed so that the operative face thereof causes the contacts 9 and 13 to make and break the circuit of any depressed key-the requisite number of times during the one operation of the machine.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a ticket printing and issuing machine the combination of a printing mechanism, a series or keys each. operable to actuate means to efl'ect an operation of said mechanism to print a ticket, a. corresponding series of contact devices each operable to be closed solely by an actuation of one of said keys and each arranged in electrical circuit with a corresponding registering mechanism and a corresponding switch located at a remote control, all said switches being connected by a single return lead to corresponding elements of all of said contact devices, an electro-magnetically operated locking mechanism arranged in circuit with said return lead and arranged normally to lock said printing mechanism against operation and when energized to release-said mechanism. v v

2. In a ticket printing and issuing machine the combination of a rotatable print ing cylinder, a series of keys, each operable to actuate a uni-rotational clutch mechanism for said printing cylinder, a corresponding series of contact devices each operable to be closed solely by an actuation of one of said keys and each connected in electrical circuit with a corresponding registering mechanism and a corresponding switch'located at a remote control, all said switches being connected by a single return lead to corresponding elements of all of said contact devices and an electro-magnetically operated locking mechanism'arranged in circuit with said return lead and arranged normally to lock said unirotational clutch mechanism against operation and when energized to release the said clutch.

3. In a ticket printing and issuingmachine the combination of a printingmechanism, manipulative means arranged to effect an operation of said mechanism, to print a ticket, at least one contact device operable by an actuation of said manipulative means to close a circuit including an electro-magnetically operated latch normally arranged to lock said printing mechanism against operation and when energized to move said latch ent of said contact device for breaking said circuit, a second latch arranged normally to f locksaid printing mechanism against operation and operable directly by an actuation of said manipulative means to release said mechanism.

4. In a ticket printing and issuing machine, the combination of a printing mechanism, manipulative means arranged to effect an operation of said mechanism to print a ticket, at least one contact device operable by an actuation of said manipulative means to close a circuit including an electro-magnetically operated latch normally arranged to maintain said printing mechanism against operation and when energized to move said latch and release said mechanism, means located at a remote control for breaking said circuit, and a second latch arranged normally to lock said printing mechanism against operation and operable directly by said manipulative means to release said mechanism.

5. In a ticket printing and issuing mar chine'the combination of a printing mechanism, manipulative means arranged to effect an operation of said mechanism to print a ticket, a latch normally arranged to lock said printing mechanism against operation and operable directly by an initial actuation of said manipulative means to release said mechanism, means arranged to enforce the completion of an actuation of said manipulative means, at least one contact device operable by the completion of an actuation of said ,manipulative means to close a circuit including an electro-magnetically operated latch normally arranged to lock said printing mechanism against actuation and when energized to remove said latch and release said mechanism, and means, independent of said contact device, for breaking said circuit.

6. In a ticket printing and issuing machine the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder, a series of keys, a universal bar operatively connected to a uni-rotational clutch mechanism for said'cylinder and operable to be released by an initial actuation of any of said keys to actuate said clutch, a universal locking bar operatively connected to first said universal bar and arranged under the influence of a yielding control to enforce the completion of an actuation of any of said keys, a series of contact devices corresponding to said series of keys and each operable to be closed solely by the completion of an actuation of one of said keys and each conv nected in electrical circuit with a corresponding registering mechanism and a correspond- .ing switch located at a remote control, all

ranged in circuit with said return lead and and release sa1 d mechanism, means independ when energized to'release said clutch.

7. In a ticket printing and issuing machine the combination of a printing mechanism, a series 'of keys each operable to actuate means to eifect an operation of said mechanism to print a ticket, acorresponding series of contact devices each operable to be closed solely by an actuation of one of said keys and each arranged in electrical circuit with a corresponding registering mechanism and a corresponding switch located at a remote control, all said switches being connected by a single return lead to corresponding elements of all of said contact devices, an electro-magnetically operated locking mechanism arranged closed solely by an actuation of one of said.

keys and each connected in electrical circuit with a corresponding registering mechanism and a corresponding switch located at a remote control, all said switches being connected by a single return lead to corresponding elements of all of said contact devices, an electro-magnetically operated locking mechanism arranged in circuit with said return lead and arranged normally to lock said uni-rotational clutch mechanism against operation and when energized to release the said clutch, and a contact breaker device connected in circuit with said return lead and operatively connected for actuation to said printing cylinder for the purpose specified.

9. In a ticket printing and issuing machine the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder, a series of keys, a universal bar operatively connected to a uni-rotational clutch mechanism for said printing cylinder and operable by each of said keys to release said clutch, at least one contact device operable by an actuation of at least one of said keys to close a circuit including an electro-magnetically operated locking mechanism normally arranged to lock said universal bar against eflecti've operation by said keys and when energized to release said bar and means independent of said contact device for break ing said circuit.

10. In a ticket printing and issuing machine the combination of a rotational print-- ing cylinder, a series of keys, a universal bar operatively connected to a uni-rotational clutch mechanism for said printing cylinder and operable by an actuation of any of said keys to release said clutch, a corresponding series of contact devices each operable to be closed solely by an actuation of one of said keys and each arranged in electrical circuit with a corresponding switch located at a remote control, all said switches being con-o nected by a single return lead to corresponding elements of all said contact devices and an el'ectro-magnetically operated locking mechanism arranged in circuit with said return lead and arranged normally to lock said universal bar against efl'ective operation by said keys and when energized to release said bar.

11. In a ticket printing and issuing machine the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder, a series of keys, a universal bar operatively connected to a uni-rotational clutch mechanism for said printing cylinder and operated by an actuation of each of said keys to release said clutch, a corresponding series of contact devices each operable to be closed solely by an actuation of one of said keys and each arranged in electrical circuit with a corresponding.registering mechanism and a corresponding switch located at a remote control, all said switches being connected by a single return lead to corresponding elements of all said contact devices and an electromagnetically operated locking mechanism arranged in circuit with said return lead and arranged normally to lock said universal bar against effective operation by said keys and when energized to release said bar.

12. In a ticket printing and issuing machine the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder, a series of keys, a universal bar operatively connected to a uni-rotational clutch mechanism for said printing cylinder and operable by an actuation of any of said keys to release said clutch, a corresponding series of contact devices each operable to be closed solely by an actuation of one of said keys and each arranged in electrical circuit with a corresponding registering mechanism and a corresponding switch located at a remote control, all said switches being connected by a single return lead to corresponding elements of all said contact devicesand an electroing cylinder, a series of keys, a universal.

bar operatively connected to a uni-rotational clutch mechanism for said printing cylinder and operable by an actuation of any of said keys to release said clutch, a corresponding series c contact devices each 0 rable to be closed solely by an actuation 0 one of said keys and each arranged in electrical circuit with a corresponding registering mechanism and a corresponding switch located at a remote control, all said switches being connected through a master switch by a single return lead to corresponding elements of all said contact devices and an electro-magnetically operated locking mechanism arranged in circuit with said return lead and arranged normally to lock said universal bar against effective operation by said keys and when energized to release said bar, and a contact breaker device connected in circuit with said return lead and operatively connected for actuation to said printing mechanism for the purpose specified.

14. In a ticket printing and issuing machine the combination of a printing mechanism, a series of manually operable keys, each operable to actuate means to eflect an operation of'said mechanism to print a ticket, a corresponding series of contact devices, each operable to be closed solely by an actuation of one of said keys and each connected in electrical circuit with a corresponding switch located at a remote control, all said-switches being connected by a single return lead to corresponding elements of all of said contact devices, an electro-magnetically operated lockingmechanism arranged in circuit with said return lead and normally arranged to lock said printing mechanism against operation and when energized to release said mechanism.

15.111 a ticket printing and issuing machine the combination of a rotatable printing cylinder, a series of keys each operable to actuate a uni-rotational clutch mechanism for said printing cylinder, a corresponding series of contact devices each operable to be closed solely by an actuation of one of said keys and each connected in electrical circuit with a corresponding switch located at a remote control, all said switches being connected by a single return lead to corresponding elements of all of said contact devices, an electro-magnetically operated locking mech anism arranged in circuit with said return lead and arranged normally to lock said unirotational clutch mechanism against operation and when energized to release the said clutch.

CHRISTOPHER FREDERICK WEBB. 

